Has Michigan ever

I think it was 1995 when we started out 5-0 or so (including the opening day last second win verse UVA), highly ranked, then lost at home to N'Western --- finished 9-4 after the bowl loss to 'Bama in the Hall of Fame/ Outback Bowl. I don't remember the exacts, because I was a Jr. that year, saw it first hand, drank a lot, and am still trying to erase the memories of that N'w game that started our fall down the polls.

Remember where we were but five games ago. This is a great run but anything is still possible.

AFAIC, UM is the fourth-best team in the Big Ten right now, to Iowa, PSU, and OSU. In addition, they should continue to improve as the season progresses. They are still a young team, with kids taking their lumps, but at least they are doing it while winning. In essence, the "meat" of the schedule is more like hamburger: Oct. 3: at MSU Noon BTN-Win but could lose Oct. 10: at Iowa 8:00 ABC or ESPN-Loss Oct. 17: Delaware State TBD-Win Oct. 24: PENN STATE TBD-Loss but could win Oct. 31: at Illinois 3:30 ABC-Win: Ill is not that good this year Nov. 7: PURDUE TBD-Win: Neither is Purdue Nov. 14: at Wisconsin TBD-Loss because it is a trap game and a road game. Wisky isn't great but good enough to win this game. Nov. 21: OHIO STATE TBD-Loss on paper, but this is the year the streak stops. UM will win because they are more of a team than OSU is. Bowl game: Win if 8-4, Loss if 9-3 due to quality of opponents. Either way, this comes out to 9-4 including the bowl game. If they have bad breaks, it could possibly be worse, but it could be better with good breaks, too. The only game I really think they will lose with no chance of winning is Iowa. Basically, there is no way I see this team losing five games in the regular season, nor do I see them losing in a bowl with the draw four losses will give them. If the SEC puts one team in the title game and another in the BCS, it makes the bowl matchups even better for UM. Bottom line: 10-3 or 9-4 counting the bowl.

The same Iowa that had to block two FGs to beat FBS Northern Iowa and is suspect at best on Offense. As for PSU, what have they done this year? Can't seem to run the ball, don't have any returning WRs, and the O line has struggled. I realize we have problems on D but, Gerg has made some nice halftime adjustments that have stopped teams from scoring in the second half. While not trying to be a homer I am trying to figure out why you think both are losses? Iowa has always struggled defensively with speed and their offense is adequate at best. The game is at their place at night (advantage Iowa) and my personal feeling is if we win Saturday and don't suffer any injuries the Maize and Blue will prevail. PSU will be a matchup of strength vs. strength and weakness vs. weakness. I see it as a toss up at best though. Hopefully, we get Molk back for this game as well. This weekend scares me though because Sparty can make their season by knocking off their arch rival. I would have preferred them at 3-1 or 4-0 and full of themselves vs. getting them with their backs aginst the wall.

at Iowa is to get into a track meet. I don't think Iowa could keep up. Their defense might not allow that though.

Yep. Just 1995 and 1996 which were very similar seasons. 1995: Started 5-0. Finished 9-4. Loss #1: 4th quarter collapse against eventual conference champ Northwestern. We lose 19-13. Loss #2: Back and forth battle in East Lansing. We lead 25-21 in the final minutes with MSU driving. On 4th down, we stop Sparty a yard short of the first down marker, however the ref gives them a favorable spot giving them a gift first down. Charles Woodson had the game ending interception in his hands for a second but dropped it. MSU scores 2 plays later and wins 28-25. Loss #3: Close battle against Penn State in Happy Valley. PSU fakes a field goal and scores a TD in the 4th quarter to win by 10. We lose 27-17. Loss #4: Played like crap against Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl. Came back to score some points in the final minute. Too little, too late. We lose 22-20. 1996: Started 4-0. Finished 8-4. Loss #1: Northwestern ruins our perfect start again. We blow a 16-0 lead in the 4th quarter. Wildcats kick a last minute field goal to beat us 17-16. Loss #2: We're back in the Big Ten hunt with a 7-1 record. Go to West Lafayette to play a horrible Purdue team that won only 2 games all year. We play AWFUL and lose 9-3. 13 years later and I still can't explain how we could lose this game. Loss #3: Special teams breakdowns against Penn State do us in. We have a punt blocked for a TD. Lose 29-17. Loss #4: Outback Bowl against Alabama - Brian Griese throws an interception that's returned 82 yards for a touchdown. That was the difference in our 17-14 loss. Ugh. I have to go wash my hands after typing that.